Who is referred to as the party that files an appeal in court?

The party that files an appeal in court is referred to as the appellant. This term specifically denotes an individual or entity that seeks a higher court's review of a lower court's decision, typically due to a belief that an error was made in the application of the law or in the interpretation of facts. In the appellate process, the appellant is responsible for presenting arguments and evidence to support their case for why the ruling should be overturned or modified.

The other terms mentioned have distinct meanings in legal contexts. The appellee is the party against whom the appeal is filed, and they are typically the prevailing party in the lower court. The defendant is the party being accused in a criminal case or being sued in a civil case, and the petitioner generally refers to someone who initiates a legal action in certain contexts, such as in family law or specific petitions in a court. Each term plays a vital role in understanding the dynamics of legal proceedings, but the primary focus here is on the role of the appellant in the appellate process.